Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2018 i Home

There’s nothing more irritating than the inconvenience of trying to remember bizarre words with one capital letter (at least) in the middle and, don’t forget, a number or two – and an asterisk or special character. And, of course, it can’t be too short! And when that window that says “Your password strength is moderate” or, heaven forbid, “weak” pops up... So frustrating! In the middle of last year, scammers managed to steal money from my bank account after a nefarious sim swop. I got my money back quite quickly, but not before the bank had lectured me on how careless the cellphone service provider had been, and the cellphone service provider had placed the blame squarely on the bank’s shoulders. And the condescending reproach from both: “But, Wicus, you…

QUICK PROJECT GUIDE Hard labour 1/10 Skill level 1/10 Time needed 3 hours Do it yourself for ±R1 000 depending on the size of your fridge (54 vinyl tiles cost R810) You will need SHOPPING LIST • vinyl tiles (the number of tiles depends on the size of your fridge; we used 77) TOOLS • craft knife • steel ruler • cutting mat • vernier caliper • scissors • compass • pencil • measuring tape GET STARTED 1 Use the venier caliper to measure the handle where it meets the door. 2 Use the measuring tape to measure from the handle around the side of the door, as well as from the handle to the top of the door. 3 Draw lines on the back of one of the vinyl…

ALCOLIN PROMOTION You will need • 22mm x 44mm planed pine, cut to: eight 175mm lengths (cut one end at a 45º angle) four 350mm lengths (cut both ends at a 45º angle) • 6mm x 40mm chipboard screws • Alcolin Fast Set Wood Glue • Alcolin Woodfiller • 120-grit sandpaper 1 Using the Alcolin Fast Set Wood Glue, glue and then screw the 350mm piece between two 175mm pieces (angled corners against each other) to form a U-shape. Repeat the process to make three more U-shapes. 2 Glue and screw the four U-shapes to each other in a clockwise direction (see photo 2). Fill in the screw holes with woodfiller; allow to dry completely and sand thoroughly. Visit www.alcolin.com for product details or call the Sticky Questions Helpline toll-free…

Save my camellias! Riana Richards writes My camellias are growing against a shady wall on the south-facing side of my house. I planted them before winter and applied acidic compost. A few of the flowers opened but after two days the flowers started to drop off or the buds dropped off as soon as they started to open. Why is this happening? The red camellia’s leaves have also turned slightly brown over the past while; the rest, on the other hand, look healthy. JJ replies This usually happens if a plant is getting too little water but from the photos you sent, it seems they are getting too much water. A lemon tree revival David Liebenberg writes We planted a lemon tree in a wooden crate and had to trim…

Lené Coetzee of Port Elizabeth writes I feed both of my Miniature Schnauzers tinned food but I’m concerned about quality when it comes to different brands; what should I look for on the label? Deon Gorgens, Promeal Operations and Process Executive, replies Just as a simple meal with natural ingredients full of vitamins and minerals is healthier for humans than preserved food, so your pets should be eating meals as close as possible to the diet nature intended for them – natural, simple and organic. The fewer additives and processed elements, the better it is for your pooch. If you can recognise the ingredient and it’s a ‘whole food’, it’s healthy. If you can barely pronounce any of the ingredients, you can almost certainly bet on it being a less…

GARDEN EXPERT # 1 Indian hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis X delacourii ‘Kruschenia’) This shrub is covered with so many pink flowers from August to October that you can hardly see the foliage! It is hardy and will, once it is well-established, survive on little water and still flower beautifully. Indian hawthorn grows well in full sun as well as semi-shade. Cut back lightly after it blooms to promote dense growth and to keep the shrub neat. Plant guide • Full sun to semi-shade • Frost-hardy • Wind-resistant • Grows 2m tall and 1.5–2m wide Gaura (Oenothera lindheimeri) This hardy plant (especially the variety with the lighter pink to white flowers) blooms throughout summer. Dainty pink and white flowers appear in spring at the ends of thin stems and dance merrily in the…

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) Catnip is the ultimate kitty treat – plant a few bushes for them to enjoy. How to grow This hardy perennial likes full sun and rich, moist soil. It can grow about 50cm tall; to keep it more compact and bushy, pinch out the growing tips. It is a member of the mint family but is not invasive. The serrated dark green leaves have an antiseptic mint-like smell and it has small white flowers. Tip of the month Because cats tend to roll on it, plant catnip out of reach in a hanging basket, in a container, or protect with a birdcage. Did you know? Cats respond to the scent that is released from the leaves when they rub against the plant. The smell is like the…

Pork belly and pineapple skewers These make perfect snacks for a New Year’s Eve party. For bigger servings as a main course, feel free to use longer kebab sticks and simply add more meat and pineapple. Serves 6 as a main course Preparation time: 30 minutes Cooking time: 3 hours Oven temperature: 160°C ‣.  1kg skinless pork belly, cut into 1.5cm strips‣.  1 pineapple, cubed‣.  about 30ml oil COOKING LIQUID ‣.  125ml sherry‣.  125ml boiling water‣.  1 star anise‣.  5ml garlic flakes‣.  1 cinnamon stick‣.  4 lime leaves‣.  1 knob fresh ginger, peeled and grated‣.  45ml honey‣.  80ml soy sauce‣.  80ml tomato purée‣.  4 sprigs thyme 1 Preheat the oven. Place the pork belly strips, together with all the ingredients for the cooking liquid, in a roasting pan and cover…

WINNING LETTER All’s well that ends well Nicky Webb of East London writes About 18 months ago, my husband and I began the exciting, but daunting, task of renovating our house. Home had given me a head full of ideas and my husband a first-class ticket to a fool’s paradise. You see, he was enthusiastically reading about DIYers who had transformed their homes on a miniscule budget. His wish list for our new house started and ended with “stick to the budget”. My wish list started with “slipper bath” (and continued in that vein for a page or two). The problem with his enthusiasm was that these eager home renovators all seemed to have day jobs that involved dabbling with electricity and bridge building. My husband comes from a long…

IDEA # 1 Put a puzzle together Add oomph to your table setting with six vinyl placemats that can also be put together like a puzzle to form a striking floral motif. The placemats are heat-resistant, so they won’t get damaged by dishes straight out of the oven. You can print your own design, colour and size and order as many as you need (minimum order of six). Puzzle placemats from De Waal Art The delicate look of this tablecloth creates an authentic feel – it’s as if it came from my grandmother’s trousseau!– Lizette IDEA # 2 Lacy days Celebrate the New Year with a romantic white lace tablecloth – but without having to worry about the possibility of red wine stains. The lace-look vinyl tablecloth in Lizette Botha’s…

QUICK PROJECT GUIDE Hard labour 4/10 Skill level 5/10 Time needed ± 2 hours Do it yourself for less than R1 400: wood, screws and castors (paint/varnish excluded) Project notes • Sand the wood beforehand. • Remember to drill pilot holes. You will need SHOPPING LIST • planed pine (22 x 95 x 3 000mm), cut to: twenty-two 1 000mm lengths three 1 090mm lengths six 450mm lengths one 1 130mm length one 1 170mm length two 380mm lengths • 18mm plywood, cut to: one 1 130 x 470mm length one 1 130 x 450mm length one 1 400 x 300mm length • 4 plate castors (two with brakes) • one packet of 8mm x 30mm chipboard screws • wood glue • wood filler • 120-grit sandpaper • paint or…

THE CHALLENGE Lucrecia March writes I love Home and I’m always very impressed with the featured décor. I’d like to make my bathroom look more stylish; any advice when it comes to accessories? THE SOLUTION Stylist Margaux Tait replies Many consider the bathroom to be a sanctuary and there’s a growing trend to create spa-like bathrooms in private homes. With just a few alterations and additions, you can create your own tranquil space; here are a few suggestions: 1 START WITH THE BASICS Before you start shopping, decide on the style and palette you’d like to introduce in the space – look for inspiration in magazines, on Pinterest and in other homes. Once that’s done, invest in the best quality towels and bath mats you can afford; there’s a wide…

On the streets Elynor Desfarges of Durbanville writes A family member bought a pair of oil paintings by Caroline Burnett 35 years ago. I did some research and it seems that her paintings are not very popular. Is there a particular reason for this? Kayleen Wrigley of Stephan Welz & Co. replies Caroline Burnett is an American painter who moved to France in the 19th century to experience La Belle Époque (a period of peace and economic prosperity during which arts and culture in Europe flourished). She became a member of the Paris Société des Beaux-Arts (founded in the 1880s in competition to the well-established Académie des Beaux Arts) and exhibited there in 1898. Burnett is known for her impressionist paintings of European street scenes, in particular those featuring the Eiffel…

Established in 1980, specialist designer and retailer Van Niekerk Furniture & Staircases prides itself on beautiful handcrafted furniture and staircases to suit all tastes and budgets. As manufacturers of one-of-a-kind or limited edition pieces in African and exotic hardwoods, as well as various exclusive ranges, Van Niekerk Furniture & Staircases offers clients custom-built furniture perfectly suited to their needs. Situated in Modimolle in Limpopo Province, the factory produces a range of kitchen cupboards, bedroom furniture, dining room furniture, home entertainment and lounge furniture, executive office furniture and bar furniture. They also design, manufacture and install wooden and metal balustrades and specialise in custom-made staircases that combine functionality and aesthetics. When it comes to outdoor areas, Van Niekerk Furniture & Staircases will transform your space with their stylish decks made from…

A garden retreat An outdoor entertainment space or garden retreat can take the form of a traditional gazebo or summerhouse, a trendy outdoor pub, a boma with a fire pit, a man cave or a she-shed. Gardening in the busy, hi-tech world of 2018 is all about creating a haven where you can disconnect, relax and lower your stress levels. Whether a meditation hideaway or a yoga shelter, a garden retreat is best placed in the quietest and most secluded part of the garden. A sheltered corner with a tree would offer filtered shade, while low-maintenance, evergreen screening shrubs create privacy. The gentle sound of falling water is healing and you might like to surround yourself with your favourite scented flowers in soft colours or enhance the feeling of tranquillity…

A new bloom! A rose with star quality The ‘Elize Cawood’ rose has been named in recognition of award-winning South African actress Elize Cawood’s work on stage and in television and film. The star of kykNet’s drama series Pandjieswinkelstories (pawn shop stories) and other TV soapies, as well as the one-woman stage production of Olive Schreiner, Elize is also a passionate gardener with a fondness for white roses “because they glow at night”. The rose she chose from the rose trial fields at Ludwig’s Rose Farm is an elegant hybrid tea with long-stemmed pearl-white blooms tinged with pink in the centre. It is vigorous and grows to shoulder height. Q: I bought the standard rose ‘Tempi Moderni’ in 2015 and now, for the first time, it has produced a cluster…

Tuna mayonnaise lettuce cups Serves 4 • Preparation time: 20 minutes ‣.  2 tins (340g) tuna chunks, drained‣.  125ml mayonnaise‣.  60ml full-fat yoghurt or sour cream‣.  ½ red onion, finely chopped‣.  1 tin chickpeas, drained and rinsed‣.  15ml capers‣.  3 stalks celery, finely chopped‣.  80g soft herb leaves‣.  zest of 1 lemon‣.  4 eggs, soft-boiled‣.  8 whole crispy lettuce leaves (for the ‘cups’)‣.  125ml pumpkin seeds, toasted Mix the tuna, mayonnaise, yoghurt, onion, chickpeas, capers and celery and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the herbs and lemon zest over the top. Divide the eggs and the mixture between the lettuce ‘cups’ and sprinkle with pumpkin seeds. Serve with lemon wedges for a light meal or mix everything together and serve in toasted tortillas for a more filling dish. Trout…

Over the moon Silver Creek Craft Distillery in Randfontein is now brewing a range of American-style Moonshines (from R260/750ml). “This potent tipple got its name during America’s Prohibition era when distillers could only ply their art under the cover of darkness, by the light of the moon,” says founder and chief distiller Mark Taverner. For details, visit silvercreekdistillery.com. Good for you Give your body a boost with BuchuLife Sparkling Herbal Water (R17.55/500ml, Food Lover’s Market and Wellness Warehouse). Buchu has anti-inflammatory properties, boasts a host of anti-oxidants and is said to assist with detoxing and weight loss. MADE IN THE CAPE DIEMERSDAL’S EIGHT ROWS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2017 (R160 at the cellar door) is one of the first South African wines to bear the Wine of Origin Cape Town address. The…

ON THE BOX Couples are given a deposit to help them get onto the property ladder, but only one of them gets to choose their dream home and secure the purchase in Honey I Bought the House (Season 1 starts 1 January on the Home Channel, 176 on DStv). They also have just three weeks to make a decision before they lose the money. Will their partner be thrilled with the choice? Check it out! I heart Market Last Saturday of every month: Blythedale Event Bowl, KwaZulu-Natal Durban’s popular I heart Market has expanded to the northern suburbs! From 09:00–15:00 you can shop for locally designed products carefully selected for their quality and originality. You can expect to find décor, vintage collectables, delicious food and much more. A coffee shop…

Buffalo Bay’s pristine scenery, beautiful safe beach rocks for fishing and hiking trails make it the perfect , holiday destination. – Eunice Eunice loves hooks here she’s placed them ; at , different for heights so to they reach ’re . There easy ’s no everyone excuse for clutter in this entrance hall! The best art comes from nature: a washed- treasure from the ocean , a secret locked up in a piece of up driftwood or a grouping of smooth white pebbles. – Eunice Vinyl seat covers are perfect for wet cozzies! Markus makes sure he is ready for Grade 2! Who lives here? Rikus and Eunice Swanepoel and their three sons, Limrik (16), Rein (13) and Markus (7) WHERE Buffalo Bay, Garden Route…

A step up Helen Meiring of Cape Town writes On the readers’ letters page in your August 2017 issue, Maria Leask of Sedgefield showed how she had adorned her drab steps with mosaics. I have a boring step at my back door that I’d like to spruce up but I have no idea how to go about it. Can you help me with step-by-step instructions? Home DIY contributor Shelly Bergh replies It’s easier than you think; here’s what you need to do: 1 Ask your local tile merchant for any broken tiles they want to get rid of and break them into smaller pieces (make sure to use tiles that won’t get slippery when wet, since you want to use them on a step). Fold the tiles in towel or…

Q: Where can I get the shower tiles shown on page 53 of your August 2017 issue? – Ilse Jacobs, Cape Town A: The homeowners bought them from Womag (womag.co.za) but most major tile retailers stock metro tiles. Q: Marianne Hattingh’s fireplace surround on page 30 in your October issue is so beautiful! Where can I find something similar? – Charlotte LaGrange, Paarl A: Marianne bought it from Vasco Henriques in Lanseria (084 495 4435, vascostone.co.za); Peppino Cement (peppino.co.za) and Ital Cement (italcement.com) stock similar. Q: The rug in the bedroom on page 27 of your April 2015 issue caught my eye; where can I buy one? – Cynthia Williams, Stellenbosch A: It’s from Weylandts (weylandts.co.za) but you can get something similar from Airloom (airloom.co.za). Q: Where can I find…

Cat with a pearl necklace Sushi contemplates her next move… – Hannetjie Meyer, Durbanville Just coastin’ Brothers Jake and Finn are inseparable. – Lance Efron, Milnerton On the move Daisy loves to explore the beach. – Sophia Fourie, Ramsgate, KZN Kelp! Ten-month-old Emily takes down another one. – Rosemary Varkevisser, Fish Hoek Don’t even think about it… This is the closest this little kitten will ever come to water! – Nadia Taljaard, Yzerfontein  Peek-a-boo! “Catch me if you can!” says a playful Gracie. – Donay Mostert, Centurion Top product Dermoscent Sunfree (R265, apetslife.co.za) is a high protection moisturising sun care lotion (SPF30+). Use it on sun-sensitive areas such as the tips of your pet’s ears or the snout. WIN!  Each owner whose pet is featured here wins a Car Seat…

Garden No 1 Who lives here? Theo and Ina Nauhaus, Roger Federer the Jack Russell and Plonsie the ginger cat WHERE Bloemfontein SIZE 250m² (colourful front garden 42m²) TYPE OF SOIL Clay Ina Nauhaus believes that first impressions count. Her desire was to make the front garden of her Bloemfontein townhouse so beautiful and colourful that people would be curious as to what else lay behind those garden gates. And that’s exactly what she’s achieved – using grey water! “I’ve been keeping my front garden alive with washing machine water for the past four years. It is time-consuming but really worth the effort. I started using the machine’s waste water in my garden when I realised how much water it used – and that water really came in handy during…

A wild idea Have you heard about ‘re-wilding’? This term can be defined as “working with nature” and is all about reducing your impact on the environment by using organic and environmentally-safe products and ensuring that the plants you grow support pollinators. It focuses on using natural elements including water, wood and rocks as features. Make it your New Year’s resolution! Water Install an ecofriendly pool that has a swimming area and a shallower filtration area where plants grow, usually in gravel rather than soil which is too rich in nutrients. This miniature wetland acts as a filter and attracts birds, insects, frogs, and dragonflies that eat mosquito larvae. Wood Trees are important in a garden; they provide shade and privacy, reduce noise and filter polluted air. Birds shelter and build…

Gardeners often send me photographs of roses with deformed leaves; they report rose looks healthy but all the new growth is red, or the leaves are very small or wispy and fern-like. When I enquire further, it usually turns out that their gardens are in a complex where the maintenance staff have sprayed the nearby paving with weed killer. • Roses will be affected by the drift of spray from weed killer, even if it wasn’t applied close by. On very hot days, as the water containing the spray evaporates on the hot paving, the fumes will drift (even if there is no wind) and settle on nearby plants. The severity of deformed leaves depends on how much weed killer got onto the plants. • Weed killer damage is not immediately evident.…

Biochemically, love is amounts just like of eating chocolate large .– John Milton White chocolate panna cotta with dark chocolate mousse Serves 8–10 Preparation time: 1 hour, plus setting time PANNA COTTA ‣.  3 gelatine sheets‣.  30ml hot water‣.  500ml cream‣.  80ml castor sugar‣.  100g white chocolate, chopped‣.  1 vanilla pod, seeds scraped out DARK CHOCOLATE MOUSSE ‣.  300g dark chocolate, chopped‣.  100ml milk‣.  250ml cream‣.  2 egg whites‣.  60g castor sugar  1 Prepare the panna cotta Place the gelatine sheets in a bowl and pour a little cold water over them. Leave to stand for 5 minutes to soften, then gently squeeze out the excess water. Put the softened gelatine sheets in a clean bowl, pour the hot water over and stir until dissolved.  2 Heat the…

“I would have loved to give my mother a goodnight kiss again,” says Aunt Corrie with an embarrassed little smile. Oh, Aunty, I fumble. Because where does one find the right words to comfort such an old longing? And old it is, because Aunt Corrie is already in her nineties. “Yes, you know,” she says softly, “sometimes Mommy is still right here in the bedroom next door. It’s night-time and she’s already undressed and she calls out ‘Time to sleep, Corrie!’. Then I must pack away my dolls and go and give her a goodnight kiss.” We’re in my own mother’s small apartment in the retirement village near where I live. We’ve just had cake and tea and I’m sweeping up cake crumbs and blobs of icing off the floor.…